Different Materials in Interior Design

Each material has its unique properties and advantages, making them an important point of consideration for furniture-enthusiasts. Here listed are some common materials used in interior design along with their distinguishing qualities.

Wood is a classic material, known for its warmth and elegance and used in interiors around the world. Due to its durability, good availability, and diversity, wood is commonly used for wide variety of purposes. As a material wood ranges from solid, such as oak, mahogany, and cherry, to engineered like particleboard and MDF. Wood is highly customisable as it can be painted and stained, allowing its user to match variety of décor styles and personal preferences.

Metal is a durable and versatile material that is commonly used in modern style furniture. Metal has been especially appealing to designers inspired by industrial style, looking for sleek, bold, and clean appearances. Metal is also highly customisable to one’s preferences in terms of colour and roughness due to its versatility.

Glass is an elegant material that gives a delicate impression in spite of its fairly durable nature. Glass is especially loved for its natural qualities that enable the passing of light, making spaces appear ample and open. Glass can be fluted and tinted, among many other treatments, in order to customise it to fit the preferences and fulfil the stylistic objectives of designers and consumers alike.

Leather is a luxurious material and its use in interior design is rooted deeply in history, with oldest recorded appearances dating back to ancient times. The popularity of this material can be explained by its soft yet sturdy nature. Leather ages well and becomes even more beautiful in active use. As leather starts to show signs of aging, such as softening, its unique qualities start to outshine those of many other more fragile materials. Leather is a diversified material and is therefore used across the board in interior design.

Fabric is a common material with diversified qualities and appearances. Fabrics are often delicate which is why they serve well in settings where they are not subjected to heavy wear. Fabrics come in nearly endless colours, patterns, and textures and can be either of natural or synthetic origin. Due to the diversified nature of fabrics, they can effortlessly add individuality to any interior by reflecting the uniqueness of their owner.

Plastic is one of the most versatile of existing materials. Plastic can be extruded, cast and moulded into any shape, merely confined by the imagination of the designer. These factors have made plastic a popular material choice in recent decades.

Natural Stone is considered a luxurious material used especially in high-end interior design. By nature, natural stones are durable and stand time and use extremely well. However, natural stones comprise a range of different stones that each have specific qualities. In general, they are considered aesthetically appealing and can be used in statement pieces as well as in more practical pieces.